Malky 'we were on the money'

15 April 2013 12:22

Malky Mackay said: "I was pleased with how we played up to the sending-off against a team who are really on form. We had to go toe to toe from the first minute and we did that.

"We got the goal and then after the sending-off it can be difficult to play against 10 men but we were absolutely on the money.

"We now have a game against Charlton against, who we gave our poorest performance of the season at The Valley, and we know we will have a tough game against them here.

"We had a record attendance here today and I would imagine there is not a ticket to be had for Tuesday, and we will go into the next game in the same vein as today and the same vein as last Tuesday against Barnsley."

Mackay also praised Gestede after the striker's contribution to the victory. The Benin international has often found himself a bit-part player, but stepped up when it mattered after replacing the injured Helguson at the interval.

"He is someone we have nurtured for two years," Mackay said.

"I loved his attitude when he arrived here. He wanted to throw himself into everything.

"There are rough edges that have been smoothed out, and are being smoothed out, but there are times when he looks unplayable."

Mackay and opposite number Billy Davies both agreed with referee Andre Marriner's decision to send off Henderson for his elbow on Helguson just before half-time.

Mackay, who played with Henderson at Watford, said: "I have known Darius for years and there is no malice in him, but it was an elbow flush in the face and everyone thinks it was a sending-off."

Davies added: "I don't think he intentionally put his elbow up to the boy's face. I think his elbow has risen and connected with his face, but under the rules I don't think we can have any complaints about the red card at all. The referee had no choice."

Davies was disappointed to see Forest's long unbeaten run come to an end, but has backed them to recover in the battle for a play-off berth.

"The run had to come to an end at some point," he said. "We have four games left and we know we need at least two wins. There will be plenty of movement in the coming weeks but it's the table at the end of the season that matters. It's all to play for."